Real Madrid have firmly denied rumours they might pull out of Saturday’s Copa del Rey final against Barcelona, despite growing tensions over referee criticism. This comes after an emotional news conference where match official Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea broke down in tears while addressing the pressure he and his family have faced due to repeated attacks from Real Madrid TV. The 39-year-old referee, who will oversee Saturday night’s highly anticipated…

Behind every great leader is a silent legacy. The story of Nasir El-Rufai’s father reveals how humble roots and quiet conviction helped shape one of Nigeria’s most talked-about statesmen. In the heartland of northern Nigeria, far from the capital cities and high offices, lived a man whose influence shaped the future of governance and reform in the country. Mallam Ahmad Rufai Muhammad, a Fulani from the small town of Daudawa,…

VATICAN CITY — When a world leader dies, a wave of political jockeying often follows. But in the Vatican, where the Catholic Church now mourns the passing of Pope Francis, the path to leadership unfolds in utter silence — and absolute secrecy. There are no speeches, no campaign trails, no political alliances. In fact, Cardinals are expressly forbidden from doing any of it. According to the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici…

As Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk prepares to lift his second Premier League title, his journey from a modest upbringing in the Dutch city of Tilburg to becoming one of the most commanding defenders in world football is a testament to resilience, inner drive, and quiet determination. Last month, van Dijk returned to his roots with a low-profile visit to his childhood club, Willem II. The purpose? To revive a…

Flight operations were disrupted on Wednesday at major airports in Lagos, Abuja, and Kano following protests by staff of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).

Of Nigeria’s four cardinals, only one is eligible to vote in the upcoming papal conclave: Cardinal Peter Ebere Okpaleke, Bishop of Ekwulobia. At 61, he serves as Nigeria’s lone voice among the global body of papal electors—an appointment that highlights his vital role in both national and international Church affairs. With a Catholic population exceeding 30 million, Nigeria stands as a spiritual powerhouse in Africa. Notably, around 70% of Nigerian…

More than 72 hours after the death of Pope Francis, the Catholic Church has entered the Novemdiales—a traditional nine-day period of mourning. The Pope’s body will lie in state at St. Peter’s Basilica, giving the faithful an opportunity to pay their final respects and start the process of electing a new pope. The pope Francis funeral, expected between the fourth and sixth day after his passing, will draw dignitaries, religious…

The Vatican has confirmed the death of Pope Francis, spiritual leader of over 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide. The beloved pontiff passed away peacefully at Casa Santa Marta in Vatican City on the morning of Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, following several days of deteriorating health. In a statement delivered from the chapel of Domus Sanctae Marthae, where Pope Francis lived, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican Camerlengo,…

In the midst of the political crisis in Rivers State, fingers have pointed at former Governor and current FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, accusing him of influencing the instability. In this exclusive interview, the Publicity Secretary to the FCT Minister, Lere Olayinka, speaks with Dr. Vincent Ajayi of The New Daily Prime to address these accusations and clarify the Minister’s role in recent developments. Q1: Many believe Wike’s influence in Rivers…

Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) to intensify collaboration to create a more robust and investor-friendly business environment in Nigeria. Shettima spoke in Abuja yesterday at the close of the PEBEC Retreat for heads of MDAs and MDA Reform Champions. He stressed that President Bola Tinubu’s administration remains steadfast in its commitment to the Renewed Hope…

A federal judge has ordered Bank of America to pay $540.3 million in a long-running Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation lawsuit accusing the second-largest U.S. bank of underpaying what it owed for deposit insurance. In a decision made public on Monday, U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan in Washington, D.C., said the payment covers assessments from the second quarter of 2013 through the end of 2014, plus interest. Recall that the FDIC…

Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, has voiced deep disappointment after being barred from visiting internally displaced persons (IDP) camps and healthcare institutions in Benue State. In a statement released via his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, April 14, Obi alleged that the Benue State Government deliberately obstructed his visit, which was part of a broader outreach initiative targeting vulnerable communities…